On Maui, the livin' is easy, and the golf should be as well. At Kapalua, with that in mind, they offer the Bay Course.

Playing at just 6,600 yards from the back tees, the Bay offers a more "vacation friendly" golf experience when compared to the sister course, Plantation.

"A lot of people will come play the Plantation Course, because it is the 'bucket-list' course," says Dustin Irwin, sales and marketing manager at Kapalua. "It's something you see on TV, and everybody knows about it. Then, you go play the Bay. You have fun on both courses, but it's a little friendlier."

That's not to say that the Bay Course isn't challenging. Prior to the Plantation Course hosting the season opening PGA tour event each year, it was held at the Bay. And there are plenty of tough spots to negotiate on the Arnold Palmer layout.

"The front nine has got some teeth to it," says Irwin. "Especially (number) four and five because they're pretty tough holes, but they're all beautiful. It's just a great combination, you hit every club in the bag."

At the par-3 fifth, you're hitting over the Pacific Ocean, so try not to be distracted by the sea turtles or even possibly the whale sightings off in the distance. Given various pin placements, and wind direction, your club selection could vary greatly.

"I love it," says Robert Vrij, of Dallas, Texas. "That's one of the more picturesque holes you see anywhere. It's a great hole."

"Tell you what, it gets your juices flowing," says Vrij. "For those of us who have been priveliged enough to play in a place like Ireland, it reminds me of hitting balls almost into the ocean and letting it come back to the hole. Very nice."

On the back nine, you can take in the Pacific from a higher elevation. There, the course is a little more forgiving, but it's still all Hawaiian beauty.